As anticipation builds for Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Maria Callas in the upcoming biopic Maria, biographer Sophia Lambton is setting the record straight.

In her meticulously researched account, The Callas Imprint: A Centennial Biography, Lambton challenges the movie’s portrayal of Callas and highlights key inaccuracies about the opera legend’s life.

The Myth of the Diva

Contrary to the popular image of Maria Callas as a temperamental diva, Lambton portrays her as a dedicated perfectionist. “She was someone who arrived early for rehearsals, continued working during strikes, and was often described by friends as down-to-earth,” Lambton explains. The biographer rejects the sensationalized narratives that paint Callas as difficult or overly dramatic.

Breaking Up With Onassis

One major misconception, according to Lambton, is the portrayal of Callas’ relationship with Aristotle Onassis. The biopic reportedly implies that Onassis left Callas for Jacqueline Kennedy, but Lambton asserts that it was Callas who ended the relationship months before his marriage to Kennedy. Far from being heartbroken, Callas prioritized her independence over romantic entanglements.

The Truth About Meneghini

The movie’s depiction of Callas’ marriage to Giovanni Battista Meneghini is another sticking point. Lambton clarifies that Callas did not cheat on Meneghini with Onassis. Instead, Meneghini left her when she insisted on managing her operatic career independently, a decision that reflected her fierce autonomy and dedication to her craft.

Health Over Love

Lambton also disputes the common narrative that Callas abandoned her career for love. She explains that the singer’s vocal decline was due to health issues, not emotional decisions. “Maria’s commitment to her art never wavered,” Lambton insists, highlighting that Callas’ struggles with her voice were a result of conditions beyond her control.

Victim Narratives and Artistic Legacies

Lambton is critical of the trend to victimize late female artists like Callas, Edith Piaf, and Marilyn Monroe. “This trend is disrespectful because it focuses on their tragedies rather than their contributions to music, film, or theater,” she says. By presenting Callas as a passive figure, Lambton argues, the biopic undermines her active role in shaping opera’s legacy.

Years of Research, Countless Insights

The Callas Imprint draws from 12 years of Lambton’s research across 21 countries. The book includes never-before-published letters, notes from phone conversations, and interviews with Callas’ close friends and associates. Among these are vocal coach Janine Reiss, step-niece Marilena Patronicolas, and voice student Marko Lámpas, all of whom provide fresh perspectives on the soprano’s life and career.

A Call for Accuracy

With Maria poised to reach a wide audience, Lambton hopes to correct the myths surrounding Callas’ life. “Maria was stubbornly independent, not self-sacrificing,” Lambton reiterates. While the movie may draw attention to the opera icon, the biographer urges viewers to look beyond Hollywood dramatizations and appreciate Callas’ enduring contributions to the arts.

The legacy of Maria Callas deserves more than sensationalized stories. As Lambton’s work shows, Callas was an extraordinary artist whose life was defined by her unwavering dedication to her craft. Will the biopic honor her true spirit? Or will it reduce her to another victim narrative? Only time will tell.